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Fielder unfazed by boos from Bucs faithful

Fielder unfazed by boos from Bucs faithful

PITTSBURGH -- When Prince Fielder dug into the batter's box at PNC Park in the first inning of Friday night's game against the Pirates, it was the first time he had done so in a Tigers uniform.

The burly first baseman went 0-for-4 in Detroit's 4-1 loss, and each time he strode to the plate, he was met with a chorus of hearty boos from the Pittsburgh faithful.

He was neither surprised by the boos nor bothered by them.

"I'm frustrated we lost," Fielder said before Saturday's game. "I don't play for myself."

Fielder built up the bad blood by roundly pounding the Pirates during his time with the Brewers. Going into Saturday's game, Fielder was averaging a home run every 13 at-bats against the Bucs, better than anyone else in the league.

Fielder has faced the Pirates 102 times in his career, with a .280 average, 77 RBIs, 14 doubles, one triple and 28 home runs.

One of those homers came earlier this season at Comerica Park. In three games against the Pirates in that May series, Fielder went 5-for-13 with three RBIs.